Tuesday, 16 August 2016

Two days to go before DD and DS learn their fate!
DD - A Level results that will decide if she makes it to Uni
DS - AS results which don't matter as he has decided to leave school and pursue and FE course

To be quite honest I'm more chilled about the whole thing than I thought I would be. DS is sorted and in my mind if DD does not make it this time round, she can always try again. I think I've got to the point in my life where I realise that there is more than one way to get to where you want to be.

DS is looking forward and getting the results are just process; something to get out of the way before going to party and then start Further Education in September.
DD is a different story - a closed book. Wants to do well in order to gain her place in Uni but quite pragmatic in the fact that may not make it and perhaps will return to school to improve her grades.

On a different note, I took DS out driving today. He has now had 9 hours driving (with a driving instructor) and what a difference that has made. He is such a confident driver, in fact it was me that made him nervous as I panicked every time he face an issue e.g small spaces, buses coming towards us, driving through small valley villages!! I am impressed with his calmness.

DS's approach to life since he has been accepted on to his chosen FE course is astonishing. He is much happier and much more confident. Why did I not realise earlier how unhappy he was in school?? Answers to follow.....
Too tired this evening after watching the Olympics!!

Friday, 8 July 2016

Well, here I am again. Some years later. DD (18) DS (16 - soon to be 17).A lot has happened in the last few years.Both children have passed their GCSE's, DD flew them, DS, by the skin of his teeth! Both joined 6th Form, DD flourished, DS hasn't. Isn't it funny how it's so easy to give advice but not so easy to take it? For 14 years I have advised parents that 6th Form isn't for everyone and maybe alternative education is the way forward. But not for my two children, oh no! They were going to study A Levels, go to University and get great jobs.Ha! Not so quick says the hand of fate.DS has struggled. He does not like Academia, it's not for him. He loves the social aspect of school but everything else just bores him. He needs an alternative. And so here we are on the brink of a new era. He has enrolled on an FE Course and will start in September. He can't wait! He is like a different person.DD? Hmm. We have trawled what feels like hundreds of Universities looking for the most suitable places for her to study. She managed to narrow it down and chose 5. After months of deliberation, she chose her top two. So what now? Well, she is now in the throes of her final exams and here lies the problem.Her social life..... The boyfriend (of nearly 2 years) has gone - mutual apparently, and now she is enjoying the single life. So much so that very little work is getting done. I am leaving it to her, she is old enough to accept the consequences of her actions but again, as her mother, I know she wants to do well but the lure of nights out is too much. She would go to the opening of an envelope! DH says we have to let her get on with it and if I mention revision she just ignore me. She does appear to be doing some work but who know.I must say though, I do now feel as though I have to let her make her own mistakes and learn from them. Is that not how we grow?That said, she is about to embark on one of those 'rites of passage'... A girls holiday in Magaluf! Dear God, what was I thinking agreeing to that. At least all the girls (6 of them) have like minded parents. Yeah, I know. Once they are free from us they will ignore everything we've said!! Just stay safe girls eh?...